Morocco has revised its pesticide residue limits for tea several times since 2020, significantly tightening limits for commonly used pesticides such as acetamiprid and chlorpyrifos, with some indicators approaching EU levels. Goods that do not meet the new standards face return or destruction, posing a survival threat to small exporters lacking source control. Zhejiang and other regions have implemented an "export tea base registration system," requiring unified management of tea gardens and traceability of pesticide use. Some leading companies have built their own testing laboratories, requiring every batch of exported tea to undergo rapid pesticide residue testing, with reports accompanying the goods. The other side of this "green barrier" is industry reshuffling and quality upgrading. The higher barriers have actually created a more favorable competitive environment for the remaining Chinese tea companies.
